Histopathological Changes in Brain, Kidney and Liver of Mice following Intramuscular Administration of Krait Venom

Histopathological changes following krait (Bungarus) bites are not widely documented compared to other species of snakes. In this study, the histopathological changes in liver, kidney and brain tissues following intramuscular administration of venom of Bungarus ceylonicus and Bungarus caeruleus were studied. Serial dilutions of venom of the two species of snakes were injected to seven groups of mice after determination of protein concentrations. There were no macroscopically identifiable changes in any of the organs. Tissues were obtained for histological studies at 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h time intervals following injection of venom. Histopathological changes namely congestion, inflammation and necrosis were observed microscopically in the tissues of liver, brain and kidney. These changes were proportionate to the dose of venom and were maximum in the liver at the dose of 1.0 μg/mouse for B. caeruleus venom and at 2.0 μg/mouse for B. ceylonicus venom. Histopathological changes observed due to B. caeruleus and B. ceylonicus venom appeared within 1 h in all tissues. Congestion was moderate in the liver and kidney but was less marked in brain. Inflammatory infiltration was seen in the perivascular regions in liver and kidney and was mainly lymphocytic. Venom of B. ceylonicus produced histopathological changes in the brain tissue, but not B. caeruleus venom. Histopathological changes were intense with B. ceylonicus venom than with B. caeruleus venom. Necrosis was seen in the liver and brain only following administration of B. ceylonicus venom. No histopathological changes were observed in skeletal and cardiac muscle with either venom.

Key words: Bungarus ceylonicus, Bungarus caeruleus, inflammatory infiltration, congestion, necrosis

DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v38i1.1321